Machine job loading tbanseebs eos



E. MASLICH.

MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOR KNITTING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I9. 1909.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

B SHEETS-SHEET l- 1; III

M I I I .I I I I i I I I z IIIIIIII I E. MASLICH. MACHINE FOR LOADING-]'RANSFERS FOR KNITTING MACHINERY. APPLICATION FILED MAR. I9. 1909.

1 1 95,833. Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

8 SHEETSSHEET 2.

E. MASLICH. MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOR KNITTING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I9. I909. 1,195,833.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3- E MASLICH. MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOR NITTING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. n9, I909. 1,195,833.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916 8 SHEETSSHEE]' 4.

I I Mar/(7 5M E. MASLICH.

MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOR KNITTING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I9. I909.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

8SHEETS-SHEET 5.

E. MASLICH.

MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOR KNITTING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I9, 1909- Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5- E. MASL ICH.

MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOR KNITTING MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I9. 1909.

1 1 95,833 Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

8 SHEETSSHEET 7.

E. MASLICH.

MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOR KNITTING MACHINERY. I APPLlC/UION FILED MAR 19. 1909. 1 195,833, Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

g1 76/. [f1] 4 K EDWARD MASLICH, OF ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN.

MACHINE FOR LOADING TRANSFERS FOB. KNITTING MACHINERY.

Spcoifiilation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed March 19, 1909. Serial No. 484,571

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Enwann B'lAsLicn, a. suhject of the Emperor of Russia, and resident of St. Joseph, llerrien county, Michigan, have. invented a certain new and useful .lmprovena-ut in lilachines for Loading Transfers for Knitting Machinery, of which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture of hosiery. it has heen the practice to knit the tops separalel v,.and to then transfer the same to knitting machines. These tops are made hy' knitting: a continuous tuhe ol' rihhed fahi'ic, and h then cutting the same into lengths suitahle for the purpose. in order to transfer a top to a knitting machine. it was necessary to place the top on a transfer, and to then. in the well known manner, transfer the top to the needles of the knitting machine. lt was necessary to place the loops of the. raw edge. of the top on the quills or points of the transfer hy hand, or hy mechanism of some. kind. The transfer is ordinarily a rin; with quills or points set around in'a circular ro'w thereon. Each quill or point. receives a loop on the edge of. the top, and thus the ltmlis of the. top are placed in condition to he readil transferred to the. needles of the knitting machine. Then the foot is knitted in continuation of the. top, in the (H(llll:ll' manner. The loadin; of the. transfers h hand was slow and laborious, especially in the. case of silk or other finely knit hosiery. The mechanism proposed for the. purpose does not stretch out the. top or web hy moving the transfer backward. Each loop of the yarn had to he placed hy hand on a quill or point of the transfer, and this took considerahle time, as it was necessary to do this by means of devices which did not employ the principles hostcalculated to insure. good results.

My invention contemplates. therefore, a machine for automatically loading transfers, by placingthe loops of the yarn on the edge of the top on the quills or points of the transfers, in. the machine. which moves the transfer back and forth to receive and stretch out a length of the Web, and for antoinatically cutting off the top from the tube of knit-ted fabric, when the transfer reaches the limit of its backward travel, thus saving time and lahor, and reducing the costof hosiery of this characten'.

In the a con'ipanving drawingsl igure 1 is a side elevation of a machine for loading transfers for knitting machines, embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 -a transverse section, on a larger scale, on line 2-1 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar section on line l in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is asiinilar section on line -l--4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar section on line 5 in Fig. 1. Fig. (3 is a similar section on line in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a similar section on line 7 -7 in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section on line in Fig. Fig. J atransverse section on line f 9 in Fig. '8. Fig-1(l is a.

section on line 10-10 in Fi I. Fig. 11 is av front el vation of tll'e -utter head-that is,

thc knives for cutting otl' the top aftera sutliient length of the tuhularfahric has heen drawn forward into the. machine. Fig. 12 is a detail section on line 12- l2 in Fig. 11.

.Fig. 1!; is a perspective of one of the blocks upon which the knives are mounted. Fig. H is a perspective of the wheel or head on which the said hlocks and knives are mounted. Fig. 15 is a plan of the rear end of the machine. showing the gearingfor driving and controlling the machine. Fig. lt'i-is a section on line 16-16 in Fig. 15. Fig. 1.7 is a detail sectional view of one of the rolls or gripping devices for holding the transfer in place. Fig. 1H is an enlarged end elevation of onev of the devices for stopping the motion of thetransfta. Fig. 1!) is a section on line 19 l!) in Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail view of the joint in the arm which is engaged by the knife blocks to reverse the motion of the transferafter the top is cut off from the tubular fabric on the tapered mandrel. Fig.2l is an enlarged detail section of the mounting for the arm that the revolving knife blocks engage to reverse the. motion of the transfer. perspective of the hollow swivel post shown in Fig. 21. Fig. '23 is a. perspective of one of Fig. 22 is a f the quills or points of the holder to the similar quills or points of the transfer. Fig. 29 is a detail view illustrating the manner in which the fabric and the mandrel are supiported. Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic plan view gishowing the position of the reversing lever .just at the mhment the fabric is being cut.

Fig. 31 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the transferring points and ringsthat is to say, the points which transfer the loops of the fabric from the machine to the points or quills Or the regular transfer. rings. Fig.

' 32 1s a side elevation of the mechanism shownin Fig. 30.

As thus illustrated, my invention comprises a base or bed A upon which the various operative partsare mounted in suitably elevated positions. There are three frames B, C and I) provided respectively with rings 12, c and d. Arranged concentrically within the said rings is the mandrel E, which mandrel is tapered toward its rear or outer end. These three rings are alike, or substantiallythe same, and the description of one will suffice for all. In Fig. 2, the ring d is provided with a set of radially disposed arms d, which have alternate with the other said set of arms, and

are provided with rotatably mounted balls d, which latter engage in the groove 6 of 'the mandrel. These arms have racks d" engaged' by pinions (i It will be seen that all of said pinlons are mounted in recesses in the able,

lates d adapted to engage between the ri s of the' passage is adapted to receive the rear end of the top-that is to say, the severed portion of the fabric after the same has been cut off from the main portion of the tube of knitted fabric. With this arrangement the mandrel E is readily supported and released, and accurately centered and brought into alinement with the balance of the machine. The centering is done by operating the chains of their respective rings 6, 0 and d. A frame F is supported at the other end of the base or bed A, or near the center thereof.

The smooth horizontal rods G and H are secured rigidly in the frames 1) and F. The threaded rods 1 and J are also mounted in said frames D and F, but are adapted to be rotated in bearings on said frames, whereby the transfer is carried back and forth. The semi-circular frames K and L are movand adapted to travel back and forth on the said smooth and threaded rods, when the threaded rods are rotated. The frame M is also semi-circular, but is rigid with the rods G and H, as shown in Fig. The frame L is provided with beveled rolls or gripping devices l adapted to receive the periphery or circumference of the transfer N. This transfer is circular, and has the usual set of quills or pins n. When inserted in the machine, it occupies the position shown in Fig. 5, being held in such position by the yielding rolls Z, which latter are pressed forward by the springs 1' (see Fig. 17 The axis or center of the transfer is not in line with the upper and lower rolls l, but is to the right thereof, as shown in Fig. 5. Thus the transfer ring does not tend to fall out to the left. The transfer is placed in the machine by sidewise motion thereof, care being taken to have the points or exactly opposite the points m, and the operator then presses his hand against the back of the transfer and moves it forward, the frame L being movable for this purpose. This causes the upper pin Z on the frame L to engage the spring-held pinm on the frame M, with the result that-the bent hook or pin' m carried by the pin m is caused to engage the pin m on the lever m This lever is pivoted at mf to the frame M, and is connected by a link wa with the centrally pivoted lever m", which latter lever is carried by the reek shaft m" mounted in hearings on the frames M and F. This lever m is pivoted at m in the member m, which latter is rigidly secured to the rock shaft m, as shown in Fig. 3. The upper end of the lever m engages a reciprocating pin m and the lower end of said lever engages a simi lar pin m which pins are slidingly mounted in the ends of the member we", (see Fig. 25). Thus, when the lever m is operated, as pre iously described, it causes the lever m to thrust the pin m outward, and this 'ed shaft .l.

pin is then struck by thd roll i on the outer edge of a disk i on the rotary threaded shaft 1. This rocks the shaft m causing the spring m, which is seeured at one end to the ring M. to engage the noteh m in the member m. holding the latter in that po sition.

lhe memher m is rigidly secured to the roek shaft m. as shown in Fig. F. It is provided at its upper end with a threaded hloek m adapted to engage the threaded shaft 1. and at its lower end with a similar hlork m adapted to engage the threaded shaft J. It will he understood that one shaft has a right hand thread. and the other shaft a left hand thread. When the shaft m" is roeked. in the manner just explained, the hloek m is eaused to engage the thread- The member in" is connected by a link INN with the frame h. as shown in Fig. l. and l another link m with the sliding sleeve m which latter has a raek m adapted to he engaged by the pinion in. (see Fig. 15). said pinion being freely movahle on a fixed stud. This eauses the shaft .5 to move the member in toward the rear end of the maehine. earrying the two frames K and l; with it. and moving the sleeve 711" along in the same direetion. This sleeve. it will he seen. is on the I'()('l\' shaft m and is supported in the flames F and t). as shown in Figs. 1 and 1.3. Thus the mere pressing forward of the transfer. after it is plaeed in the maehine. serves to automatically start the operati n of the ma chine. as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The frame K. whieh slides on the rods (l and ll, is provided with a eirrular rmw of radially and inwardly pro ieeting teeth or points [a The frame M is provided with a ('irrular row of outwardly diverging and forwardly projeeting quills or points m3. eaeh quill or point having a groove adapt ed to reeeive one of the points A. (see Fig. 8). It will be seen that the quills or points /11 have just sullieient dip or eonwrgenee to ring their ends between the ribs on the mandrel. The stops i l/F on the frame, M are adapted to he engaged by the ad lustahle Pins to limit the motion of the frame l1 toward the frame M. The hook m" is pivoted on the frame M. and pro vided with a liooleshaped forward end portion 1/1? adapted to engage the pin or roll I on the frame IA. This hook m holds the. frame it stationary while th frame l\' moves forward. and until the loops are transferred to the points '11. Then when the roll l" on the frame K engages the bevel m on the hook. the latter is released from the roll or pin on the frame l.. with the result that the two frames move forward together. when the threaded rod J is rotated and engaged by the. part m. The forward m0- tion of the two frames in unison results from the engagement of the points L with the shoulder 11. on the transfer. In doing this. it will be seen that the points Z- pass from the grooves in the quills m? to the grooves in the quills a. In order that the points may follow said grooves. said points may have radial or endwisemotion in their mounting. against; suitable spring tension. as shown. The hook is pivoted on the, frame K. and is provided with a hookshaped forward end portion 1.1 adapted to engage. the roll or pin on the frame L. This is the. normal position of the parts; but when the two frames are moving forward together, then the roll or pin l engages the hook portion 1 with which the said pivoted hook is provided, thus shortening the distanee between the two frame; 11 and 1.. so as to keep the points /.1 in position to hold the loops on the points 11. The hook has a finger I'. adapted to engage a roll or pin on an arm A, whieh latter is mounted on the frame M. 'hen the frames move forward. the hook does not rise. the arrangement being such that the finger 1 being pivoted to yield or swing in one direetion ran pass the roll or pin without rais ing the hook; but when the frames eome haelv'. then the linger A" engages the roll or pin vv ith the result that the hook is lifted and the portion disengaged from the pin or roll l". in this way the frame l. stops. while the frame K moves on until the points Z' are again in the position shown in Fig. s.

it will he understood that the fahrie i drawn over the mandrel. and that the loops at the raw edge of the tubular fabrie are plaeed. in any suitable manner. by hand. if neeessary. upon the points or quills m. As will hereinafter more fully appear. the ma nipulation of the web or tube of fahrie by hand is only neeessary in putting the same on the maehine. for after that the artion is entirely automatie until the web is used up and a new one is neeessarv. When the ma ehine is started. in the manner deseribed. the said loops are then shifted on to the quills n. by the :n'tion of the points k. In other words. earh point A' engages a loop on the edge of the fabrie and transfers it from the quill m to the quill n. Thus the loops are shifted on to the quills of the transfer. The transfer then moves forward. together with frame K uilling the fabric after it. and when a suffieient length of fahrie has been pulled forward. the motion is auto math-ally stopped. This is aeeomplished by a deviee on the rotary shaft .l. whieh deviee is provided with pins which revolve around, and which strike the lower end of the member m. This moves the roek shaft m sufficiently to enable the spring m to engage the middle notch m holding the tl'ircadcd blocks on said member out of engagement. w th both of said threaded shafts.

fit this time the knife head 1 has ad *anced to the position shown in Fig. 8, by the forr; ward motion of the sleeve 1 upon which it is mounted. lt will be seen that this sleeve has a rack. that is engaged by the pinion wh reby the motion of the sleeve m in om direction is U'COXl'lpfllLlOd by the motion of th sa'c vc in the other direction. The said kni l'rhead I isnot rigid with the sleeve but. is carried on a shaft that rotates within the sleeve p, the sleeve and shaft, howci er. being held against relative endwise motion by ordinary collars or other like de- Hccs. said sleeve carries adjacent to tin" knife head a set of tension rolls 70 mounted on a spiral spring 7). It will be understood that the said knife head and the said, tension rolls are shown in Fig. 8 merely for mnviaiienre of illustration, and that in pl'uf'tii't they newer occupy this position at the time when the transfer is in the position shown in Fig. When the transfer is in "i then the said knife head and are at the other end of the mal; and vice versa, when the and tension. rolls are in the position iy u in l ig. 8, then the transfer is at tlzr other end of the machine. The said knife head consists of a wheel p provided won arms Blocks 1r". These blocks are provided with slots 7) for the adjustment of the knives 7), which latter are secured thereon by bolts 7/; In tl'ieir'normal positions the knives are tangentially arranged, as shown in Fig. 11, and are held in position by the elastic band or spring 1. This elastic band or spring extends around the knife head and engages tingrooved rolls or bolt heads p, as show r; in Fig. When the knife is r0-- 1 then the knives fly out, owing to cenil ton/r. as shown in dotted lines in l. The ends of the knives engage the inner surface of the tubular fabric and out quickly through the same, severing the portmn of ihe fabric which is on the transfer fr n th portion which remains on the mann he transfer is moving for- A .tion of fabric thereon is sup- .he tension rolls 7), and the lat- ;ing. by reason of the forward :lzon of he fabric, place the spring 1) er tendon. its soon the portion of fabric on the transfer is cut off, and as soon as the motion i reversed, then the rolls rcvol we tll'il. t" 2 tension of their spring, as they name back to the other end of the machine, and feed the end of the cutoff portion of the fabric into the mouth of the hollow mandrel. This keeps the cut off portion from becoming entangled with the machinery, and during such backward movep, to which are pivoted the.

ment the loops are held on the transfer by the points The motion of the tIWSfGI P i reversed as follows: \Vhen the knivcs are thrown out by centrifugal force, their blocks p engage the roll Q on the end of the lever q, which latter is pivoted at 9' upon the hollow swivel post 9 (see Figs. :21 and :22). At such time the said roll, of course, rests against the outside of the fabric. This lever has a jointed end portion 9 which permits it to pass the frame M, when it is swung around by the ring-like frame K striking it or moving away from it,

and is also jointed at (1 whereby it is free to swing around in a horizontal plane, notwithstanding its connection with the upper end of the link 9". This lever is swivelcd on a post, as shown, because it must swing around when the frames and transfer come back, and must at such time extend longitudinally of the machine. \Vhen the knife blocks engage the roll Q, the end of the lever Q is depressed, and its notch 1 is caused to engage the spring-pressed bolt or locking device o which latter is arranged in the hollow swivel post (see Fig. 21). This raises the link 9", and this link in turn raises the link q through the medium of bell crank and link connections 9, shown more clearly in Fig. 1. This link 1 operates the lcwr m", previously described. causing it to eject the pin m from the lower end of the lever m \Vhen this is done, the said pin or is engaged by the-roll R on the disk r of the rotary shaft J, (see Fig. 3) In this way the member m is tilted and the shaft 122. rocked until the block m is caused to engage the threaded shaft I. The parts are held in this position by engagement of the spring in with the notch m on the member m", (see Fig. 3). Thus, the motion of the machine is reversed, and the transfer caused to hand back toward the mandrel. while the knives and tension roll are causet to travel in the other direction. \Vhen the member m reaches the position shown substantially in Fig. 1, then it is kicked out of engagcnu-nt with the shaft I by a device S, which device is similar to the device j, previously described. Thus the spring at returned to the middle notch n and the machine is a" a stand still with the cut ofl portion of the fabric resting inside of the mandrel. At the time that the knives cut OK or sever a portion of the fabric from the main portion thereof, the new or fresh loops formed thereby on the raw edge of the fabric spring into position on the points m, or may be placed thereon by hand, if any of them fail to catch, thus putting them in readiness to be shifted to the transfer. The fabric is, of course, stretched 0n the mandrel, and when it springs back, after being cut, the points or quills m, which depress the fabric into the groove-1 or channels between the ribs 0, find their way into the new loops on the raw edge of the fabric. This. of course, is due to the fact that the fabric is first forced outward by the knives, so that the quills m are inserted in the new loops for about one-eighth of an inch; and then when the fabric springs back *that is. when the fabric springs longitudinally toward the left in Fig. 8the said points or quills m are then thrustone-eighth of an inch deeper in the loops; the points ll, when they return, will then move the said loops still farther upon the said quills m and then glide over to a point behind them. 'hen the frames and. transfer again move forward, the lever I again swings around so that the roll Q. is against the web. and then in position to be struck by the blocks the next time the knives fly out.

Itwill be seen that the sleeve 2 is held by a spline or pin T against rotation with the shaft p see Fig. 16). The gear wheel U rotates loosely upon the sleeve 2, and is provided with two sets of teeth, one adapted to engage. the pinion u that drives the shaft 1, and to also engage the pinion u that ro tates the. shaft J. The other set of teeth are beveled to engage a bevel pinion a on the shaft of the fastand loose pulleys V. This the drive shaft and it is provided with a smooth bevel friction wheel 1 adapted to engage a similar wheel I) on the shaft 7). This friction wheel v is mounted on a sleeve "/2 that is splined on the shaft 72 and which has a slight forward and back movement in the bearing (see Fig. 15 A spring pressed arm r operated by a hand lever r (see Fig. 1.) holds the wheel I nor mally out of engagement with the wheel 1,, whereby the knives do not revolve until the collar W on the shaft 7% engages the end of the sleeve of the wheel a, thus crowding the latter into engagement; with the wheel '1. This occurs at about the time the knives reach the limit of their movement toward the mandrel. and at a time when it is proper for the cutting operation to take place. Thusthe knius do not revolve while the fabric is being drawn forward by the trans fer.

\Vhen the transfer moves bark toward the mandrel. and when the frames or rings K and L of the machine stop automatimilly, then the transfer is removed. This is done by hand by removing it sidewise from the machine. and the cutoff portion of the fabric comes off with it. This cut-off portion of the fabric is destined to become the top of a knitted sock or stocking, or of a similar knitted article. ll'eretofore these tops ha ve been placed on the transfers by hand or by mechanism requiring a stationary transfer, as previously explained. This was laborious and expensive, as it took a great deal of time to place the tiny loops of yarn. especially those of silk or other finely knit hosiery, on the quills or transfers; and the mechanism proposed for the work involved the placing of the loops on the transfer after the fabric was stretched, instead of before, which latter gives the best results. Now, however, and with my automatic machine, as herein disclosed, each top is autoi'natically placed in position on a transfer, which latter is then moved backward to stretch out the fabric. After this, the transfer can be used for transferring the top to a suitable knitting machine, in the regular and well understood manner. Thus time and labor are saved and the cost of proi'luction considerably reduced.

\Vith further reference to the mode of 0 .ltltlUIl, particularly the cutting of the fabric and the manner in which the loops on the raw edge of the fabric are replaced on the points m, it will be seen that the semi-circular ring or frame K, has a preliminary movement toward the transfer ring N, to enable the radially projecting fingers is to transfer the loops on the stationary quills m to the quills n of the transfer ring N. At the time that said loops are positively transferred, the sliding frames K and L move in unison toward the right of the machine, and away from the tapering mandrel .ll. As the frame K moves toward the right of the machine, obviously the fabric follows with it. and forms a taut, hollow cylinder, from the end of the mandrel to the transfer ring. It will also be seen that as the frame K retreats, the reversing lever g, which normally engages the edge of the frame K, (as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 30), will follow said frame, through the action of the spiral spring I (see l*ig..2l) one extremity of which is connected to the supporting member, and the other extremity to the swiveling post Thus it will be seen, that when the frame. 'K, is in the position as shown in Fig. 8 the spring 1 is under ten-- sion, and has a tendency to bring the arm 1 in a central position, and in a position adjacent to the cutting off mechanism, (as shown in full line posi .ion in Fig. 30). \Vhen the frames .li, and H, have traveled to their farthest position to the right of the. machine the reversing lever 1 is in a. position as shown in (Fig. 3 and the flexible member 1; carrving the roller Q. is resting against the lei phery of the taut cylinder of fabric. From this it will be seen that as centrifugal force throws open the cutting knives and the fabric carried by the transfer ring is severed from the main body of fabrir. the taut cylinder becomes. yielding or open. and

the flexible member 1 snaps into the path reversing lever can fall in a position to be operated upon by the blocks 2 The points in being seated in between the ribs of the mandrel E, causes them to bear into the fabric, and the fabric being stretched about the mandrel E, and also being pulled out by the transfer ring, causing the loops to be held in an open position, has a tendency when out off, to spring back, and the points m being constantly in the path of the loops, said loops in their back motion, ride free and easy upon the points m. The tube of fat ric, remaining upon the mandrel, if necessary can be given a slight pull toward the small end of the mandrel, causing the loops to ride farther up on the points m. \Vhen the transfer ring moves toward the right of the machine, the fabric causes the rolls p to rotate and winds up the spring 7), which puts a tension 'on said rollers. \Vhen the fabric is cut, the rollers 19* support the fabric that is cut, and held at the other end by the transfer ring, and when the transfer ring moves to its initial position, the fact th: v. the rollers p are under tension and are rotating in the direction of travel of the transfer ring, causes the fabric to be fed toward the mandrel, and not buckle or kink in the center. and the rolls also act as a support till the transfer ring has reached the end of its movement. Thus it will be seen that when cutting the fabric, the knives from the interior will force the tube about one-quarter inch outward, while the quills an) by reason of their spiral springs, will find their way into the ribs of the new loops by about (illtrelglltl'l of an inch. In other words, the loops will replace themselves on thc'quills mi from the interior outward. \Vhen the fabric is cut, the tube on the mandrel b] will at the same moment spring backward about one-quarter of an inch, while the quills 112. will for the second time find their way about one-eighth of an inch deeper into the new loops. The main work in rcinstating thc loops on the raw edge of the fabric is done by the fingers l: in two dilt'ercnt ways: Firstly :-\Vhcn the fingers i: come back with their ring K, they will arrive exactly in the open quills m, and pusli,or thrust the already (by one-eighth inch) self-reinstated loops entirely (onehalf inch) and farther up on the quills; the lingers A will then glide over the loops and by means of their spiral spring they will be placed about at the bottom of the loops within the quills m. Secondly 'lhe same fingers fir will push the finished reinslatcd loops down from their quills in. up-

ward upon the sct in transfer points 'II.- that is to say. the smaller quills n on trans fer ring 11' will be thrust into the quills 111 by ouc'cightli inch. and when the machine is put in motion. the ring l\' will by means of its lingers I; slide the reinstated loops from the quills m upon the thrust-in transfer point a. I do not, however, limit myself to the exact construction or mode of operation shown and described.

In the claims, and by the terms trans fer and receiving means, it will be understood that the'ring N is the element mentioned therein, this being the removable means for conveying fabric to a knitting machine. It will be understood that the knife operates, or may operate, quite close to the points 'm, and while the latter are in engagement with the loops at.the edge of the cut, depending upon the character of the fabric.

I \Vhat I claim as my invention is:

1. In a machine of the character disclosed, a set of points operative to deliver the loops at the edge of the end of the fabric to the quills of a transfer ring, means for causing the fabric to be stretched and drawn out a distance by movement of the transfer away from the recei'iing position thereof, and means for then cutting off the stretched out fabric, leaving the same on the transfer ring.

In a machine of the character disclosed, the combination of means for holding a removable transfer, a holder for the fabric,

tapered away from the transfer, means for removing the raw edge of the end of the fabric from the holder and placing the same on the transfer, means to move the transfer backward with the uncut fabric, and means to then cut off the fabric.

3. In a machine of the character disclosed, the combination of traveling means for holding a transfer, means for placing the loops of the fabric on said transfer, and means for starting the machine by moving the transfer slightly in one direction of travel thereof.

4. In a machine for the purpose described, a removable transfer ring, means for holding the transfer ring in position, a mandrel for holding the tubular fabric tapered away from said ring. mechanism for carrying the end portion of the fabric to the transfer ring, and means for moving said mechanism and transfer ring to stretch the fabric.

5. In a machine for running-on knitted web. the combination with a support for the web. of means for engaging the stitches of the \vcb. means for moving the stitch engaging means and the web longitudinally of said support, a cutting knife for said web, disposed within the web, means for moving the knife into and out of cutting engagement with the web. and means for carrying said knife around the web.

(1. In a machine for running-on knitted web. the combination of a support for the web. means for moving the web wer said support, a cutting knife. for the web, disposed within the web. a knife earrier rota table around the axis of the web support. and a knife-mount pivoted upon said ran rier. within the web. and movable in a plane parallel with the face of the same for swingint. the knife into and out of eutting relation with the web.

7. In a. machine for running-on knitted web, the combination of a support for the web. means for moving the web over said support. a cutting knife for the web. lisposeol within the web a rotatable l-mife-ean rier upon which said cutting knife is mount ed so as to move. into and out of eutting relation with the web. a spring for normally holding the knife out of surh rutting relation. disposed within the web. means artin g in opposition to the spring for moving the knife into rotting relation with the web. and means for retaining. the knife in surh cutting relation.

8. transfer marhine provided with a knife for eutting. the web in lengths. disposed within the web. and means: for operat ing said knife.

9. In a marhine for running-on knitted web. the combination. in operative relation to one another. of means for reeeiving' the stitches of the web. means for engaging said stitrhes and transferring them to said reeeiver. means for cutting otf a length of the web. and means for eausiira said length to move back toward the body of the web. after being rut otf. in bringing the reeeiving: means into normal position.

10. in a marhine for runningain knitted web, the emnbination. in operative relation to one another. of means for reeeiving: the stitehes of the knitted web. nu-ans for engaging: said stitehes. stretehin; or expand int the web. and then applying the vstitrhes to the re eiver. means for rotting oil a length of the web. and means for eausing said length to move bark toward the body of the web. after being rut olf. in bringint the rereiving: means into normal position.

ll. in a marhiue for running-on knitted web. the omnbination. in operative relation to one another, of means for revolving: the stitehes. means for engaging said stitehes and transferring them to the reeeiving means. means for moving the latter into and out of operative relation to said transferring means. means for eutting: otf a length of the web. and means for raising said length to move bark toward the body of the web. after being out atf. in bringint the rereivin means into normal position.

11A machine for running-on knitted web. having means for engaging the stitches to be transferred,and drawing the web forward through the medium of surh engaging means. means for eutting otf a length of the web. and means for musing: said length to move back toward the body of the web,

after being cut off, in bringing the engaging means into normal position.

13. A. machine for runningmn knitted' web. having means for engaging the stitches to be transferred. e. ;pandin; the web. and drawing the same forward through the medium of said engaging means. means for cutting otl a length of the web. and means for causing: said length to move bark toward the body of the web. after being rut ot. in bringing the engaging means into normal position.

1?. A machine. for running-on knitted web. ha. int: means for engaging the stitches to be transferred and drawing the web forward through the. medium of sneh engaging means. means; for severing the portion of the web thus drawn forward from the remaining portion. and means for then causing said engaging means and severed portion to travel barkward toward the other portion of the web. in bringg'int the engaglug means into normal position.

13. in a marhine for runnint on knitted web. the combination. in operative relation to on another. of means for reeeiving the stitehes to be transferred. eomprisinga removable and reriproeating transfer rini. 11 .ans for engaging! said stitches and expanding the web to bring the stitt'hes into a plane substantially at right angles to their position in the unexpanded web. and means for transferring the stitehes to the reeeiving means. movable forward and bark therewith.

16. In a maehine for runniugen knitted web. the rombination, in o ierative relation to one another. of a removable reeeiver having; members for rereiving: the stitehes to be transferred to another maehine. means for sinniltaueously engaging the entire series of stitehes to be transferred and adjusting them into position for transfer to the reeeiving members. means for simultaneously removing the 1 ltil'i series of stitehes from the transfer members to the reeeiving memhers. and automatie means whereby said reeeiver moves in opposite direetions to the. full extent of its motion with the web thereon.

17. In a machine for running-on knitted work, the eombination. with a support for the web. of removable means for engaging the stitehes of the web. means for moving the stiteh engaging means and the web longi tudinallv of said support. a rotting knife for said web. means for moving the knife into and out of cutting engagement with the web. means for carrying said knife around the web. and automatie means whereby the severed portion of the web is Carried bodily backward toward said support after being rut off. to permit removal thereof. in bring} in; the removable means into normal position.

18. In a machine for running-on knitted Web, the combination of a support for the Web, means for moving the web over said support, a cutting knife for the web, a. knife carrier rotatable around the axis of the web support, a knife-mount pivoted upon said carrier and movable in a plane parallel with the face of the same, for swinging the knife into and out of cutting relation with the web, and automatic means whereby the severed portion of the web is carried bodily backward toward said support, after being cut off, in bringing the web-moving means into normal position.

19. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination of a support for the web, means for moving the web over said support, a cutting knife for the web, a rotatable knife-carrier upon which said cutting knife is mounted so as to move into and out of cutting relation with the web, a spring for normally holding the knife out of such cutting relation, means acting in opposition to the spring for moving the knife into cutting relation with the web, means for retaining the knife in such cutting relation, and automatic means whereby the severed portion of the web is carried bodily backward toward said support after being cut off, in bringing the web-moving means into normal position.

20. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination of stitch-engaging and removable transfer devices, a carriage therefor, means for imparting forward and backward movement to said carriage, automatic means for effecting reversal in the direction of movement when the carriage is at the forward termination of its travel, before the removal of said devices, and means for cutting off a portion of the web, before such revcr-al, the severed portion being carried bodily backward by the return movement of the carriage to normal position. in bringing the transfer device into normal position.

21. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination of stitch-engaging and removable transfer devices, a carriage therefor, means for imparting forward and backward movement to said carriage, automatic means for effecting reversal in the direction of movement when the carriage is at the rearward termination of its travel, and means for cutting off a portion of the Web, the severed portion being carried bodily backward by the return movement of the carriage, in bringing the transfer device into normal position.

22. In a machine for running-on knitted web the combination of removable means for receiving the stitches of the knitted web, movable in opposite directions with the web thereon. to first stretch the web and then return with the same to a position of rest between the limits of said movement, and means for engaging said stitches and applying them to the receiver, one of said means being movable with respect to the other.

23. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination of reciprocating means for receiving the stitches to in: transferred, movable inv opposite dirm-iions with the web thereon, to first stretch the web 2 ml then return with the same to a position of rest between the limits of said movement. and reciprocating means for engaging said stitches and applying them to the receiving means whereby when the stitch engaging devices are retracted the stitches will remain upon the receiving devices.

24. In a. machine of the character disclosed, the combination of means for holding the fabric, means for holding a removable transfer, movable back and forth in a straight line. mechanism for placing the loops at the end of the fabric on the transfer, movable back and forth therewith, and means for serving the fabri a distance from said end.

25. In a machine of the character dis closed, a removable transfer, means for supporting the fabric, a holder having quills for securing the loops at the raw edge of the end of the fabric. preparatory to placing the same on the transfer. means for causing the loops to engage said transfer, and means for moving the transfer to stretch out the fabric.

26. In a machine of the character disclosed, the combination of means for bold" ing the removable transfer, means for first placing the loops of the fabric thereon, means for then measuring off a length of said fabric, by predetermined motion of the transfer, and means for finally cutting off such length, leaving the same on the transfer.

27. In a machine of the character disclosed, means for holding a removable transfer, means for autonmlicull) moving the transfer back and forth. herebv the transfer reciprocates in a straight line, means whereby the transfer rccciws a web at one end of its path of travel. and means for then causing the transfer and web to move in the opposite direction.

28. In a machine for loading transf rs of the character disclosed. the combination of a mandrel for the tubular fabric. a holder the points or quills of the transfer ring and movable therewith, means for moving the transfer ring to feed the fabric forward, rausing the same to be stretched, and automatic means for then severing the fabric between the said transfer ring and the means for holding the same.

30. In a mechanism for the purpose described, a traveling transfer ring, means for holding the transfer ring in position, means for holding the fabric, mechanism movable toward the transfer ring to carry the fabric onto the points thereof, and also movable therewith, and means for movin the said ring back and forth, whereby sai ring has movement to stretch the fabric.

31. A machine for the purpose described, a set of members for holding the end portion of the tubular fabric, a ren'iovable and movable transfer, a set of points operative to move the end portion of the fabric from the said members to the said transfer, and means for operating said points and transfer together to stretch the fabric.

32. In a machine for the purpose described, a mandrel, a removable transfer, and means for stretching a length of the tubular fabric between the transfer and the end of the mandrel, by motion of the transfer, whereby the fabric is fed endwise from the end 0 the mandrel, and means for bringing the transfer torest at a. point between the limits of its motion.

In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination, in operative relation to'one another, of means for receiving the stitches, mounted to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the web, removable from the machine With a portion of the web thereon, means for engaging said stitches and transferring them. to the receiving means, adapted also to travel back and forth therewith, and means for moving the receiving means into operative relation to said transferring means.

34:. A machine for running-on knitted web, having means for engaging the stitches to be transferred and drawing the web forward through the medium of such engaging means, removable transfer means for receiving the stitches and then drawing the web forward, arranged also to travel back and forth with said engaging means, and means for bringing the said receiving means to rest before reaching the receiving position thereof.

35. A machine for runningon knitted web, having means for engaging the stitches to be transferred, expanding the web, and drawing the same forward through the medium of said engaging means, means for receiving the stitches and then drawing the webv forward, removable from the machine with a portion of the web thereon, and means for bringing the said receiving means to rest before reaching the receiving position thereof.

36. A machine for running-on knitte web, having means for engaging the stitches to be transferred, and drawing the wehforward through the medium of such engaging means, means for receiving the stitches and then drawing the web forward, and means for severing the portion of the web thus drawn forward from the remaining portion, disposed inside of the web.

37. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination, in operative relation to one another, of means for receiving the stitches to be transferred, removable from the machine with a portion of the web thereon, means for engagin said stitches and expanding the web to bring the stitches into a plane substantially at right angles to their position in the unexpanded web, means for transferring the stitches tothe receiving means, and mechanism for moving the receiving means to stretch out the required length of web.

38. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination, in operative relation to one another, of a receiver which is removable from the machine with a portion of the web thereon, having members for receiving the stitches to be transferred, means for simultaneously engaging the entire series .of stitches to be transferred and adjusting them into position for transfer to the receiving members, devices for simultaneously removing the. entire series of stitches from the transfer members to the receiving members, and means for operating the latter and said devices to stretch out the required length of web.

39. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the con'ibination of stitch-engaging and transfer devices, said devices including a transfer ring, a carriage therefor, means for imparting forward and backward movement to said carriage, tracks for the carriage, and automatic means for effecting reversal inthe direction of movement when the carriage is at the forward termination of its travel, said ring being removable with a. portion of the web thereon. and means for automatically stopping the movementof said ring.

40. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination of stitch-engaging and transfer devices, said devices including a transfer ring, a carriage therefor, means for imparting forward and backward movement to said carriage. and automatic means for disengaging said moving means from the carriage at both the forward and rearward termination of its travel, said ring being removable with a portion of the web thereon, together with means for automatically stopping the movement of said ring.

ll. In a machine for running-on knitted web, the combination of means for receivtime.

ing the stitches of the knitted. web, mounted to move back and forth to receive and stretch the web, and means for engaging said stitches and applying them to the receiving means, movable back and forth therewith, one of said means being movable with respect to the other, and said receiving from the machine with a portion of the web thereon aftewrturning to receiving position. ,1

43. Afransfer machine provided with a mandrel for supporting and gradually expanding the tubular web, tapered in the direction of the receiving end thereof, made hollow to receive the severed portion of the web, and means for feeding the reversed portion back into said mandrel.

Signed by me at St. Joseph, Michigan, this 15th day of March, 1909.

EDVARD MA SLICH.

Witnesses:

CHAS. W. STRATTON, EMIL FROST. 

